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LAURIER EXPERT ALERT: Child and youth advocacy

Aug. 13, 2015

WATERLOO – The Government of Canada has announced funding for the Child Witness Centre of Waterloo Region to support the creation of a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC). The centre will provide one location for all professionals involved in the investigation and treatment of suspected child abuse cases and support to victims, witnesses, and their families as they navigate the criminal justice system.

Kim Roberts, professor in Laurier's Department of Psychology, is an expert in investigations of alleged child sexual abuse and available for comment. She has trained detectives at the Ontario Police College for eight years and has been involved in the national development of child and youth advocacy centres. She has published several guides for police and social workers on how to interview children and regularly trains these groups. Contact information: 519-884-0710 x3225 or kroberts@wlu.ca.

"The Child and Youth Advocacy Centre model has been widely popular in the U.S. with both families and professionals,” said Roberts. “The opening of the Waterloo CYAC is a major step forward in serving the children and families involved in child abuse investigations. From both a practical and an emotional perspective, the centres provide integrated services in a central location. This streamlines the investigative process and enables quick and up-to-date communication between the various professionals who need to interact with the family."